Courtesy of Delaware State Athletic Media Relations


DOVER, Del. -- Delaware State head softball coach Jeff Franquet has announced three additional signees for new school year and season.

The addition of Sydney Hoffman (fr.; Lewisburg, Pa.), Kyla Johnson (fr.; Sherman Oaks, Cal.) and Maikyla Nelson (so.; Modesto, Cal.) brings to 12 the number of newcomers who have committed to the Hornets for next season.

Hoffman is a pitcher, but can also compete in the field. A four-year letterwinner at Lewisburg Area High School, she was a Pennsylvania All-State Second Team selection as a senior. At the plate, she batted .416 with 111 hits and 88 RBI in her scholastic career.  Hoffman competed in Junior Olympics and travel ball for Pa. Power Elite Krunch Gold and Milton Elite.

"Sydney will bring depth to our pitching staff," Franquet said. "She is strong, athletic and skilled enough to compete at other positions for us. We are excited to welcome her to our program."

Johnson is expected to compete at shortstop for the Hornets. She was batting .439 (18-for-41) with 17 runs scored when her senior season at Notre Dame HS was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, and posted a .320 career average in 79 high school varsity games.

"Kyla is a highly-skilled player with a strong background in the sport, including time with Panthers Gold out of Cali which is a very good travel ball organization." Franquet said. "She's very athletic with great hands and footwork. At the plate she's a difficult out and should score a lot of runs."

Nelson, a transfer from Colorado State, is also slated to see action in the circle and in the field for the Hornets. She competed in just one game at CSU in the shortened 2020 season. She was two-time team MVP, first team all-league selection as a senior and academic all-league all four years at Gregori High School.     

"We are so excited to have Maikyla because she can make an immediate impact on the mound," Franquet said. "She has all the tangibles to lead us to a championship. Maikyla comes from a strong softball background and was very well coached at Colorado State."

Franquet began his rebuild of the Hornets for the 2020-21 season with the signing of nine new players, including walk-ons, last fall.  He expects to have 30 players on the roster next season.

"I'm excited about the newcomers to our program, who will join the improved returners to give us a solid foundation for next season," he said. "The increased numbers mean every day will be competitive with each player having to bring her best effort this fall. You earn your spot in the fall, not the spring. I'm looking forward to bringing everyone together for some spirted competition next season."